RIVINGTON PIKE FELL RACE 2010

After an uncertain week the weather held good for this years pike race. The underfoot conditions however were less than perfect for fast times, and left some who preferred to have a more cushioned road shoe for the gruelling finishing on the tarmac lacking traction on the top part of the course. Despite the mud the route was once again lined with many cheering spectators that contribute to the unique character of this historic race.

The race up front was a battle between Blackburn Harriers and Pudsey & Bramley. Thomas Cornthwaite was first to the pike and retained the lead on the descent to win from Ricky Lightfoot, Rob Hope and Danny Hope.

As usual Horwich RMI Harriers were very well represented with 27 runners out to tackle the race. First Horwich home, and winner of the Pike Race Challenge Cup, was Alastair Murray in a PB of 18:59, just holding off old Horwichian Paul Dugdale for 7th place. Graham Schofield took 15th overall and first V50. Third Horwich counter was Rob Jackson in 21st, completing his 26th consecutive pike race despite a cold, who along with Steve Nolan in 22nd completed the winning mens vets team. Tony Hesketh (correction) took the prize for first V60 in a time of 23:09, and John Coope was first V75 in a time of 32:52. Our only ladies representative was Nicole Kirkham finishing second LV50 in 29:18.

Men

1st

Thomas Cornthwaite (Blackburn)

17:31

7th

Alastair Murray

18:59

15th

Graham Schofield

20:04

21st

Robert Jackson

20:53

22nd

Steve Nolan

21:11

26th

Denis Mason

21:28

27th

Simon Parkinson

21:29

31st

Paul Boardman

21:49

36th

Gary Chadderton

22:19

41st

Ian Hepburn

22:32

44th

Tim Roe

22:50

46th

Doug Fleming

23:07

49th

Tony Hesketh

23:09

50th

Mick Crook

23:09

52st

Stephen Diaz

23:12

56th

Albert Sunter

23:33

62st

Wilf Brindle

23:54

65th

Peter Ramsdale

24:07

75th

Colin Wood

24:42

84rd

Brent Brindle

25:18

91th

Paul Kaye

25:58

110th

Robert Whitaker

27:19

131th

Mark Collier

28:38

143nd

Anthony Turner

29:44

145th

Lawrence Pinnell

29:50

147th

Mark Sammon

30:08

148th

Ed Swift

30:11

165th

John Coope

32:52

166th

Allan Blinkhorn

33:05

Ladies

1st

Laura Richers (Leigh)

21:46

14th

Nicole Kirkham

29:18

A big thank you to the race organisers, marshals and helpers that make the race possible, especially Pete Bland, Rob Green and Colin Jones.